U.S. patent number 6,876,312 [Application Number 09/900,894] was granted by the patent office on 2005-04-05 for keyboard with multi-function keys.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Behavior Tech Computer Corporation. Invention is credited to Ching-Chiang Yu.
United States Patent |
6,876,312 |
Yu |
April 5, 2005 |
Keyboard with multi-function keys
Abstract
This invention relates to a keyboard with multi-function keys
are installed nearby the space bar to make it very convenient to
use. The keyboard incorporates the multi-function keys, such as a
scroll-control-ball which can move the screen from various
directions, an up-down-left-right keys to control the position of
the cursor, editing functions keys which provide such functions as
cut, copy, paste, mark, recovery, scroll page, insert and delete to
enable speedy editing. In addition to the above-mentioned function
keys, the multi-function keys comprise a
finger-print-identification function device to identify the user.
Furthermore, the multi-function keys further comprise a liquid
crystal display light to show the status of the numeral and upper
and lower case.
Inventors: |
Yu; Ching-Chiang (Keelung,
TW) |
Assignee: |
Behavior Tech Computer
Corporation (Taipei, TW)
|
Family
ID: |
27439076 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/900,894 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
341/20; 341/22;
345/163; 345/168; 345/172; D14/396; D14/402 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
3/0213 (20130101); G06F 3/0219 (20130101); H01H
13/84 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
3/02 (20060101); H01H 13/84 (20060101); G06F
3/023 (20060101); H01H 13/70 (20060101); H03M
011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;345/163,172,168,170
;341/20,22,23 ;361/680 ;356/71 ;D14/346,402 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wong; Albert K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A keyboard with multi-function keys comprising: a computer
keyboard having a set of standard computer keys, said set of
standard computer keys including a spacebar; a scroll-control-ball
mounted on said computer keyboard, said scroll-control-ball being
positioned adjacent and contiguous to said spacebar, said spacebar
being a single key of said keyboard and having a recess formed
therein, said recess receiving a portion of said
scroll-control-ball.
2. The keyboard with multi-function keys as recited in claim 1
wherein a liquid crystal display is mounted on said computer
keyboard for displaying operational information.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a keyboard with multi-function keys,
particular to a keyboard having multi-function keys which are
installed nearby the position in which users thumbs are placed when
they operate the keyboard to provide the ultimate convenience.
Conventional keyboard is provided with normal characters, numerals,
F1 through F12 function keys and some other simple function keys,
such as insert, delete, home, end, up, down, left and right as well
as the numerals keys. Although these function keys furnish the
users with somewhat of convenience, while operating the users
unavoidably have to move their arms back and forth which sometimes
causes some mistype. Moreover, by moving the arm to press the
keyboards will slow down the speed of operation. Most of all the
importance and frequency of use of these function keys vary with
times and some of the important function keys are not implemented
in conventional keyboard.
The main objective of the present invention is to provide a
keyboard with multi-function keys which are installed very close to
space bar. While using this multi-function keys, it is just as easy
as to move the thumb. Besides, it is located in the area where the
user vision is most likely to be. To those who familiar with the
computer keyboard, this multi-functions keyboard will greatly
enhance their operation speed. At the same time for those people
who are not familiar with computer keyboard, since the
multi-functions keyboard is right in front of them, it
unquestionably increase the convenience of use.
The keyboard with multi-function keys of the invention comprises
the most often-used scroll-control-ball. Despite the fact that the
scroll function is used a lot when people operate the computer,
most of the conventional computers install the scroll function
inside of the mouse. Therefore it appear to us that it will be very
helpful to implement the scroll function in the keyboard with
multi-function keys. The keyboard with multi-function keys
comprises keys of up, down, left and right which are built in a
circular piece of board and is very easy to move the cursor. The
keyboard with multi-function keys further comprises the most
commonly-used editing keys such as cut, copy, paste, mark and
recovery to enable editing as soon as possible.
Furthermore, the keyboard with multi-function keys of the invention
comprises a finger-print-identification device. This
finger-print-identification function device can replace the
scroll-control ball. Meanwhile it also can be implemented by the
side of the editing keys. With this special
finger-print-identification function device, the computer system
can easily identify the qualified user. Adding to the
above-mentioned functions, by the outside edge of the editing keys
a liquid crystal display light can be installed to show the digits
and the status of upper and lower case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows the first preferred embodiment of the keyboard with
multi-function keys of the invention.
FIG. 2 shows the second preferred embodiment of the keyboard with
multi-function keys of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard with multi-function keys of the
invention comprises one or more sets of multi-function keys 200 on
the base of keyboard 100. The key set 200 includes various kinds of
function keys. The key set 200 is installed nearby the space bar
101 to enable the user to operate the key set 200 conveniently with
their thumb. Nevertheless it is fine to install it in other
position. The key set 200 includes a scroll-control-ball 201. Most
of time the scroll functions are incorporated in the mouse. As you
may notice the chances to use the scroll functions are numerous.
Therefore, a built-in scroll-control-ball 201 in the keyboard
provide great convenience. The key set 200 further comprises
contains UP, DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT keys 202 which provides four
different ways of up, down, left and right control function keys.
With this keys 202, it is quite easy to move the cursor. In
addition, key set 200 also includes editing function keys 203. As
shown in FIG. 1 there are function keys of cut 2031, function keys
of copy 2032, function keys of paste 2033 and function keys of mark
2034. All these function keys are beneficial to the users in
editing. Besides, these function keys are not normally shown in
conventional keyboard. Its characteristics of easy-to-operate are
self-explanatory. As to the other editing function keys 203, such
as recovery, printing also can be built as necessary.
Please refer to FIG. 2, the key set 200 of the invention contains a
finger-print-identification function key 204. This
finger-print-identification function key 204 can be in place of
scroll-control-ball. It also can be built by the side of editing
keys to effectively identify the users without requiring users
keying in the common-used password. The key set 200 is designed
with scrolling pages keys 205 to enable prompt scrolling of the
pages, inserting keys 206 and deleting keys 207 to make a quick
deletion. Furthermore, by the outside edge of 200 a liquid crystal
display light can be installed to show the status of digits and
upper and lower case. The status of the computer is transparently
clear to the users.
The keyboard with multi-function keys can also comprise a
function-exchange key (not shown in the figures), which is used to
change the function of the above-mentioned keys. For example, UP,
DOWN, LEFT and RIGHT keys can be change to a scroll-control keys by
the function-exchange key which change the function of the key.
* * * * *